Family Safaris

As Family Safari specialists, we know the perfect family safari remains an art and not a science. Here’s some comments on family safaris in Africa with our selection of sample family trips and family-friendly places to visit.

Family Safari Holidays in Africa

As specialists in Family safari holidays, we’ve seen a flourishing growth in stylish hotels and game lodges that welcome families. However designing the best family safari for each client remains an art and not a science. There’s a difference between family-friendly lodges, and family-tolerant ones, and we are constantly evaluating our family safari lodges on this score.

Non-family safari specialists seem to assume that once you have kids, all families are identical in terms of their needs: they want a beach and middle-of-the-road hotels.

We know that NOTHING is further from the truth!

Families vary every bit as much as couples do. Yes, sometimes you are on a tighter budget, but most people want the same quality of hotels as you enjoyed before you had kids. Some want the beach, but others are well-travelled and are keen to experience cultural nuances.

Furthermore, each family is different – your kids’s ages, ideal sleeping arrangements, travelling abilities and your family’s interests all influence what sort of family safari in Africa is right for YOU.

We suggest that you look at the family safari pages below for each country to decide which ones interest you. Then give us a call or email us. We’ll chat to you, find out what you are looking for and put together a tailormade proposal for YOUR family safari.

Why book your Family Safari with Cedarberg Africa?

We know our stuff! We know which safari lodges & hotels cater for children & what they offer.

Kate, our South African director, has travelled extensively with her three children, so we have detailed 1st-hand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t!

Many of our consultants also travel with their kids to our family-friendly safari lodges & hotels.

Our family safari proposals describe the exact nature of the accommodation so that you know what to expect. We also detail activities for kids & nearby family attractions.

On arrival in South Africa, all kids receive a special Cedarberg backpack containing a South Africa storybooks, puzzles, games and extra goodies.

Family Safaris – Factors to Consider

We believe that introducing your kids to the wonders of African wildlife makes for a great family holiday. Kids love learning about the natural cycles of the earth, the predator hierarchy and the fascinating ways animals adapt to their environment.

However it’s important to consider what will be the best family safari experience for YOU.

The age and attention span of your children

Their ability to travel long distances happily (either by car or by air)

Trade-off between seeing animals in an accessible region (minimising travelling time) versus seeing wildlife in a more remote, wilderness location?

Your attitude towards malaria?

What sort of trips does your family enjoy? Adventurous or laid back? Lots of activities or time alone in a pristine environment?Always together or some time apart?

Whether you’d like a specialist family safari programme (available at selected lodges in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia) or have a more relaxed free-form family safari in Africa?

Family Safaris & Malaria

Malaria is around in most, but not all, safari destinations in Africa. We recommend that you don’t take small children (five & under) to year-round malarial areas. Older children simply take the same precautions as adults. Avoid being bitten by covering up with long-sleeved trousers and shirts just before the sun sets and applying child-friendly insect repellent.

The only year-round non-malaria game reserves are in South Africa. Excellent Big Five game-viewing is on offer in the Eastern Cape, the Madikwe Game Reserve and the Waterberg. South Africa also has a number of seasonal malaria areas where the risk of malaria is greatly reduced between May and September, such as the Kruger Park and northern KwaZulu Natal. See Malaria-Free Safaris for more details…

Fun Quiz on Family Safari Destinations

Check out our quiz on which family-friendly safari destination will suit YOUR family.

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